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University of Ottawa
Blood Physiology Study Guide
Course: ANP 1105C
, ANP 1105C Blood Physiology Study Guide
Blood Composition and General Characteristics (Questions
1-2)
1. Which plasma protein contributes most to plasma osmotic pressure (colloid
osmotic/oncotic pressure) and helps prevent edema by holding water inside blood
vessels?
A) Globulins
B) Fibrinogen
C) Albumin
D) Transferrin
Answer: C) Albumin
Explanation: Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein, constituting approximately
60% of total plasma proteins. Its primary function is to maintain colloid osmotic
pressure (also called oncotic pressure), which holds water within the blood vessels. This
pressure counteracts hydrostatic pressure that pushes fluid out of capillaries. When
albumin levels decrease (hypoalbuminemia), fluid accumulates in tissues causing edema.
Globulins function in immune defense, fibrinogen is essential for blood clotting, and
transferrin transports iron.
Learning Tip: Remember that "Albumin" and "Osmotic pressure" both start with vowels
and are linked—albumin is the main protein keeping fluid IN the vessels.
2. What is the normal pH range of human blood?
A) 7.0-7.2
B) 7.35-7.45
, C) 7.5-7.8
D) 6.8-7.0
Answer: B) 7.35-7.45
Explanation: Blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35-7.45, making it slightly alkaline
(basic). This narrow range is critical for proper enzyme function and protein structure.
Values below 7.35 indicate acidosis (can be respiratory or metabolic), while values above
7.45 indicate alkalosis. The body maintains this pH through buffer systems (bicarbonate,
phosphate, and protein buffers), respiratory adjustments (CO2 elimination), and renal
regulation (excretion/reabsorption of H+ and HCO3-).
Learning Tip: The normal pH range 7.35-7.45 is easy to remember as "7 point 35 to
45"—just remember the 3 and 4 after the decimal.
Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells) - Questions 3-10
3. Which of the following characteristics of erythrocytes specifically enhances their
efficiency for gas transport?
A) Presence of mitochondria for ATP production
B) Nucleus for protein synthesis
C) Biconcave shape and absence of mitochondria
D) Rough endoplasmic reticulum for hemoglobin production
Answer: C) Biconcave shape and absence of mitochondria
Explanation: Erythrocytes have several adaptations for gas transport efficiency:
1. Biconcave shape: Increases surface area-to-volume ratio for faster gas diffusion
and provides flexibility to squeeze through narrow capillaries.
, 2. No mitochondria: Prevents RBCs from consuming the oxygen they carry; ATP is
produced anaerobically through glycolysis.
3. No nucleus or organelles: Maximizes space for hemoglobin (97% of cell
volume).
4. Diameter larger than some capillaries: Forces RBCs to fold and bend,
facilitating gas exchange as they contact capillary walls.
Clinical Correlation: In conditions affecting RBC shape (like sickle cell disease), gas
transport efficiency decreases, leading to tissue hypoxia.
4. What is the primary function of the cytoskeletal protein spectrin in
erythrocytes?
A) Oxygen binding
B) Cell shape maintenance and stability
C) Carbon dioxide transport
D) Iron storage
Answer: B) Cell shape maintenance and stability
Explanation: Spectrin is a large, flexible, rod-shaped cytoskeletal protein that forms a
network on the inner surface of the RBC plasma membrane. Its functions include:
Maintaining the characteristic biconcave disc shape
Providing structural stability as RBCs deform through narrow capillaries
Organizing transmembrane proteins in the membrane
Clinical Correlation: Hereditary spherocytosis is a genetic disorder where spectrin
deficiency causes RBCs to lose their biconcave shape, becoming spherical and fragile.
These abnormal RBCs are trapped and destroyed in the spleen, causing hemolytic
anemia.
University of Ottawa
Blood Physiology Study Guide
Course: ANP 1105C
, ANP 1105C Blood Physiology Study Guide
Blood Composition and General Characteristics (Questions
1-2)
1. Which plasma protein contributes most to plasma osmotic pressure (colloid
osmotic/oncotic pressure) and helps prevent edema by holding water inside blood
vessels?
A) Globulins
B) Fibrinogen
C) Albumin
D) Transferrin
Answer: C) Albumin
Explanation: Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein, constituting approximately
60% of total plasma proteins. Its primary function is to maintain colloid osmotic
pressure (also called oncotic pressure), which holds water within the blood vessels. This
pressure counteracts hydrostatic pressure that pushes fluid out of capillaries. When
albumin levels decrease (hypoalbuminemia), fluid accumulates in tissues causing edema.
Globulins function in immune defense, fibrinogen is essential for blood clotting, and
transferrin transports iron.
Learning Tip: Remember that "Albumin" and "Osmotic pressure" both start with vowels
and are linked—albumin is the main protein keeping fluid IN the vessels.
2. What is the normal pH range of human blood?
A) 7.0-7.2
B) 7.35-7.45
, C) 7.5-7.8
D) 6.8-7.0
Answer: B) 7.35-7.45
Explanation: Blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35-7.45, making it slightly alkaline
(basic). This narrow range is critical for proper enzyme function and protein structure.
Values below 7.35 indicate acidosis (can be respiratory or metabolic), while values above
7.45 indicate alkalosis. The body maintains this pH through buffer systems (bicarbonate,
phosphate, and protein buffers), respiratory adjustments (CO2 elimination), and renal
regulation (excretion/reabsorption of H+ and HCO3-).
Learning Tip: The normal pH range 7.35-7.45 is easy to remember as "7 point 35 to
45"—just remember the 3 and 4 after the decimal.
Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells) - Questions 3-10
3. Which of the following characteristics of erythrocytes specifically enhances their
efficiency for gas transport?
A) Presence of mitochondria for ATP production
B) Nucleus for protein synthesis
C) Biconcave shape and absence of mitochondria
D) Rough endoplasmic reticulum for hemoglobin production
Answer: C) Biconcave shape and absence of mitochondria
Explanation: Erythrocytes have several adaptations for gas transport efficiency:
1. Biconcave shape: Increases surface area-to-volume ratio for faster gas diffusion
and provides flexibility to squeeze through narrow capillaries.
, 2. No mitochondria: Prevents RBCs from consuming the oxygen they carry; ATP is
produced anaerobically through glycolysis.
3. No nucleus or organelles: Maximizes space for hemoglobin (97% of cell
volume).
4. Diameter larger than some capillaries: Forces RBCs to fold and bend,
facilitating gas exchange as they contact capillary walls.
Clinical Correlation: In conditions affecting RBC shape (like sickle cell disease), gas
transport efficiency decreases, leading to tissue hypoxia.
4. What is the primary function of the cytoskeletal protein spectrin in
erythrocytes?
A) Oxygen binding
B) Cell shape maintenance and stability
C) Carbon dioxide transport
D) Iron storage
Answer: B) Cell shape maintenance and stability
Explanation: Spectrin is a large, flexible, rod-shaped cytoskeletal protein that forms a
network on the inner surface of the RBC plasma membrane. Its functions include:
Maintaining the characteristic biconcave disc shape
Providing structural stability as RBCs deform through narrow capillaries
Organizing transmembrane proteins in the membrane
Clinical Correlation: Hereditary spherocytosis is a genetic disorder where spectrin
deficiency causes RBCs to lose their biconcave shape, becoming spherical and fragile.
These abnormal RBCs are trapped and destroyed in the spleen, causing hemolytic
anemia.
